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      Case Studies from NNRF:


      People originate from a whole host of different countries. To give a clearer idea of the current situation; in the last four weeks of September 2008 (the last month for which we have full data) NNRF supported 60 people;

      Afghanistan: 2 people
      Algeria: 2 people
      Angola: 2 people
      DR Congo: 9 people
      Eritrea: 2 people
      Guinea: 1 people
      Iran: 15 people
      Iraq: 5 people
      Jamaica: 1 person
      Kenya: 1 person
      Korea: 1 person
      Malawi: 2 people
      Mongolia: 1 person
      Pakistan: 4 people
      Sudan: 2 people
      Syria: 1 person
      Zimbabwe: 9 people


      Case Study Stories:


      Male, 40 from Zimbabwe

      Arrived in UK in 2002, but was not interviewed by the immigration authorities until 2007. At the immigration interview he was asked to provide “fresh” evidence about his reasons for fleeing his country and seeking asylum in the UK in the year 2002. However, after being in the UK for 5 years the requirement to provide “fresh” evidence about events that took place 5 years previously is almost always impossible and his application for asylum was refused on these grounds. This is one of the main reasons why so many asylum applications fail.

      He was made destitute in 2007. Destitution means that the refused asylum seeker is not allowed to work and does not receive any financial assistance or accommodation from the State. The destitution policy is aimed at exerting pressure on refused asylum seekers to return to their country of origin. However, in this case the man comes from Zimbabwe, a country which at the time the UK High Court declared ‘too dangerous’ for asylum seekers to be returned to. Since being made destitute the man has had to rely on friends to provide him with shelter and food to keep him off the streets.


      Male, 28 from Iran

      Arrived in UK in 1999. Was made destitute in 2002. Destitute asylum seekers in the region are required to report to the immigration centre in Loughborough without any assistance for travel. For example, this man has to travel from Nottingham to Loughborough to report on a monthly basis (others are required to do so weekly or fortnightly). The only financial support he receives is £10 monthly from the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum (NNRF) of which he has to spend £4 for the travel fare to Loughborough, which he feels is very unjust and cruel. At first he refused to report and as a result he was briefly detained and threatened with deportation. However, under our present asylum policy all asylum seekers can be detained at any time without having committed an offence.


      Female, 22 from D. R. Congo

      Arrived in UK in 2003 and was made destitute in 2004. As a destitute asylum seeker she could not be helped by any official agency dealing with homelessness. As a results she was forced to live on the streets and had to resort to eating out of bins or begging. At night she had to find shelter in bus shelters, under bridges and in doorways. For these reasons destitute asylum seeking women are doubly vulnerable when living on the streets because they face the threat of sexual violence and exploitation. It is impossible to live in this country with NO money and therefore many destitute asylum seekers are forced to work illegally usually leading to further exploitation.

      In 2006 she was detained at an immigration detention centre and released after 6 months. Most asylum seekers are usually detained with a view to forcible removal/deportation. There are 11 detention centres in the UK, 7 of which are run for profit by private companies. This woman’s experience in the UK has deeply traumatised her and she now lives in constant fear of further detention and deportation.


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